NCTI: Sesame Workshop’s Inclusive World

Gary E. Knell is president and CEO of the New York-headquarted Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit organization that works to create innovative, engaging content for children via its popular Sesame Street programming and health and literacy initiatives. Knell has been instrumental in globalizing Sesame Street, and also helped found PBS Kids Sprout, a 24-hour cable channel.

Now in Season 41, Sesame Street has evolved to bring literacy and learning skills to kids through the use of innovative content that capitalizes on new technologies such as e-books and online games. And he discusses the wide use of mobile devices on which both kids and parents learn and play.

Knell says special education and inclusion is just one part of bringing together all kids from all walks of life for more meaningful learning experiences. “We’re at a crossroads of education in 2010 and have an opportunity to transform learning,” he says.

Here’s a video with Big Bird and Zoe talking to Christopher Reeves about his wheelchair and sip and puff device, filmed before his death in 2004.